Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Leishmania seropositivity in a sample population of Western Sicily (Italy)
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Published:2022-06-16
Issue:2
Volume:11
Page:
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ISSN:2282-0930
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Container-title:Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Public Health
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language:
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Short-container-title:ebph
Author:
Amodio Emanuele,Calamusa Giuseppe,Sidoti Enza,Migliazzo Antonella,Vitale Fabrizio,Costantino Claudio,Vitale Francesco
Abstract
Background: Leishmania is a vector-borne parasite responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for Leishmania infantum seropositivity in a sample of Sicilian population.Methods: A total of 260 subjects were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire and requested for an venous blood sample.Results: Overall, 36 subjects (13.8%) were seropositive against L. infantum with a statistically significant higher prevalence of positivity in older subjects (p=0.04). After adjustment for age, a higher risk for Leishmania seropositivity was found in subjects who had pets living outdoors and untreated with anti-pests, and in those who were current smokers (adj-OR = 2.95 and adj-OR = 3.11, respectively; p < 0.05).Conclusions: Our data confirm that Leishmania infections among Sicilian citizens can be considered relatively frequent, suggesting that a percentage of Leishmania seropositivity can be probably attributed to exposure to both old and new risk factors.
Publisher
Milano University Press
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Community and Home Care,Health Policy,Epidemiology
Cited by
2 articles.
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